5 surprisingly practical ways to re-purpose old bed sheets for cleaning, decluttering and storage at home

Close up of a double bed with neutral colors of bedding and two propped up plump orange cushions. There are matching wall-mounted brown oval wooden mirrors each side, with classic white lamps and mid-century wooden nightstands.

No-one likes to feel like they are being wasteful, which is why tips on how to re-purpose old bed sheets around the home are so helpful.

There are many practical things you can do with old bedding, including cutting them up and using them for planet-friendly cleaning cloths, or breathing new life into your storage boxes with a quick DIY project.

While your bed sheets might no longer be fit for purpose, re-purposing them for cleaning and decluttering chores is a great way to be more sustainable at home.

Why experts love re-purposing old bed sheets

Just as there are lots of ways to repurpose old pillows, old bed sheets that no longer have a place on your bed still have so much more to give.

Orna Fathers, lead designer and home organization specialist at Grace This Space says, 'Old bed sheets are essentially just large pieces of fabric. This makes them perfect for a range of DIY projects and practical uses.'

'We love to save items from landfills where so many old bed sheets are destined,' continues Orna. 'But if you are a little bit creative and brave enough to try, there are some great ways to give your old sheets a new life.'

1. Use them to protect furniture from dust when DIYing

When painting or doing DIY, use the vast swathes of bed sheet fabric to protect your surfaces and furniture. (Image credit: Screwfix)

We'll start with the most obvious here – this first idea requires no essential DIY skills whatsoever, yet will save you a not-inconsiderable amount of money on buying new dust sheets for your next decorating project. It's also better for the environment and won't bring further microplastics into your home.

Nick Friedman, CEO and Co-Founder at College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving offers the following advice, 'Use old sheets as protective covers for furniture during moving or renovation projects. Simply cut to size and secure with clips or tape.'

You can also use old bed sheets to protect items you are keeping in storage, perhaps in an attic or shed, or to keep guest room surfaces dust free.

2. Replace or recover stinky pet beds

Cleaning pet beds are a constant chore so give yourself an extra one to swap in when yours in the washer (Image credit: Charley Chau)

Even if you know how to wash dog beds, rarely does pet bedding stays looking or smelling fresh for very long – and if your furry friend's sleeping spot is looking a little worse for wear, DIY a replacement.

'You could use your old bed sheet to DIY a comfy cover for your pet’s bed that’s easy to wash and replace,' suggests Orna Fathers. 'I think this is a great use for your old flannel sheets to give an extra cozy feel for your furry friend.'

It's a fun DIY home project and you only need a hot glue gun, available at Amazon, and an old cushion.

Machine washable

Bare Home 16"x16" Pillow Inserts

Filled with with hollow fiber, these cushion inserts are hypoallergenic, making them a great choice for pet beds. What's more, they can be machine washed to freshen them up when needed.

3. Use them to bolster your cleaning cloth supply

You don't need one-use paper towels. Re-purpose old bed sheets to use as cleaning cloths you can wash again and again. (Image credit: The Cotswold Company)

You can never have enough cleaning rags, particularly at this time of year, when all those spring cleaning tips can be put into action.

Bryan Griffin, founder at Patriot Maids Cleaning Services, says, 'Cut the sheets into squares – whatever size works best for you. They're perfect for dusting or cleaning up around the house. This can take just a few minutes.'

This trick isn't only useful for saving money, it will also help you give your home a really deep clean, as Orna Fathers explains.

'Old bed sheets are generally made of cotton, which means they are very absorbent and can make great reusable cleaning rags,' reveals Orna. 'One cleaning tip I would recommend is that you use different colored rags for different tasks. Cut one bed sheet into a set for kitchen use, another for dusting or cleaning the bathroom, and so on. This will help you keep them organized.'

This is also known as color-coded cleaning, which helps prevent cross-contamination.

Perfect for fabric

Pinking Shears Serrated

These serrated pinking shears are perfect for cutting all kinds of fabric and are sharp enough to cut through even tough materials such as denim and leather.

6. Turn boring storage boxes into something special

Use your old bed sheets to give stained storage boxes a new, clean look. This will also help you re-purpose old plastic containers for organizing without adding visual clutter. (Image credit: Kati Farrer/Crafting My Home)

Struggling for storage ideas? Use patterned or plain old bed sheets and turn cardboard boxes destined for the recycling into storage boxes on a budget.

For the boxes above, crafting expert Kati Farrer of Crafting My Home, secured handles using these decorative upholstery tacks from Amazon.

'Old sheets are perfect for turning boring cardboard boxes into stylish storage bins for organizing toys, magazines or even closet storage,' says Orna Fathers. 'I suggest you use different colors or patterns for a cohesive storage solution in any room.'

For this job you will need:

• A sturdy cardboard box (or old plastic container you are re-purposing to help you declutter your home).
• Hot glue gun, available from Amazon.
• Scissors and measuring tape.
• Optional: Spray adhesive gives a smoother finish. The Super 77 Multipurpose Permanent Spray Adhesive, also from Amazon is perfect for this storage solution.

Armed with the right kit, follow Orna's instructions:

1. Measure the dimensions of your box (length, width, height).
2. Cut your bed sheet to size, leaving 2 inches extra on each side for folding over.
3. Spray the adhesive (or apply glue) on the box’s exterior and smooth the fabric over it, ensuring no wrinkles.
4. Fold excess fabric inside the box and glue down securely.
5. Let it dry completely before using.

4. Use it when moving

Save old bedding for moving day. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Whether you are packing to move home, or storing precious items in your basement or attic, old bed sheets can make the perfect, eco-friendly protective material.

'Wrap fragile items in old sheets instead of using bubble wrap,' says Nick Friedman. 'Simply secure with twine or rubber bands for a zero-waste packing solution.'

If you run out of old bed sheets for the job, HEXAWRAP honeycomb wrapping paper from Amazon is a great eco-friendly alternative to bubble wrap.

5. Donate them to charities or shelters

Wash and dry old bedding thoroughly, then donate to shelters or charities near you. (Image credit: Cox & Cox)

If you simply don't have the time or inclination to re-purpose your old bed-sheets, but don't want to be wasteful, there are other ways to put them to good use.

Consider donating them to charities such as homeless shelters or animal shelters rather than throwing them away. They have many uses for clean but no longer wanted bed sheets.

Make sure to wash your bed sheets and fully dry them before donating them.

Alternatively, you could take them to your local recycling center where they will eventually be broken down to be used to make new fabric.

Meet our experts

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If you love the idea of re-purposing worn out items around the home, be sure to find out which kitchen items you should never throw out – from compost to cleaning solutions, there's lots of potential for re-use.